It begins with a can of beer accepted at a party and ends with a person not quite sure of what is happening but almost positive he or she is having fun. That's how adolescents often have their first major encounter with the world of alcohol.

I've been on the fence awhile about whether to write this column. It's difficult to address the problem of alcohol used by those under legal age because teen-agers often don't think it is a problem. After all, what are one or two drinks to unwind after a hard day at school or a tough week at work? It clears the senses. It makes all that stress more manageable. Everyone else is drinking; just one or two won't matter. Life is short.

Whatever excuse adolescents use to explain why they need to drink is unacceptable. Alcoholism is a disease that afflicts a significant segment of society. It's not cool to dump a potential poison into your body again and again just to have fun. Even if a person feels cool while consuming a six-pack of beers, it does not feel cool the morning after when vomiting into the toilet. Perhaps the body is trying to tell the person something.

Millions are suffering from alcoholism, but somehow teen-agers who choose to drink repeatedly think they can somehow avoid the addiction. Tell that to the millions; I'm positive all of them would say they bought that excuse as well.

It's easy for friends to discuss their wild and crazy adventures while under the influence, because it's SO cool to make a fool of yourself. Perhaps a nondrinker feels the need to join in with the conversation, laughing along with the group. Everyone has, including me.

But I have never chosen to drink and do not intend to. People who drink think they are invulnerable, and because of that make bad choices, like driving under the influence. I do not intend to put my life and the lives of others in danger. It's reckless and stupid and does not reflect good judgment.

I'm not attempting to act superior and look down upon those who do occasionally (or more than occasionally) decide to have a drink or two, but I cannot understand the need to indulge in something that has been the downfall of countless people.

Peer pressure is sometimes good, sometimes bad, but being pressured into drinking is not a good thing. Take some positive peer pressure, because I'm begging you not to begin or continue something that could ruin your life and the lives of those around you.